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"God gives us a heartbeat for the sick and the injured. And in spite of the long hours and sometimes perilous dangers, we put on our uniform, we zip up our boots, we climb aboard that rig screaming into the night to do what we can to answer somebody's call for help."

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Officer Steffen salutes each ambulance and it's occupants as they drive in a procession to the funeral of Zachary Pruitt at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Attendees, family members, and fellow first responders salute and pay their last respects as the body of Zach Pruitt is placed into an ambulance before the procession headed to Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Family members of Zach Pruitt including his mother, Deborah Wood, second right, and her friend Lori, right, look up at a group of EMS helicopters that flew above to honor the passing of Pruitt at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Friends, coworkers, and first responders attending the funeral that didn't know Zach Pruitt salute as his body is moved from the service to an ambulance that will deliver him to the funeral from Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

An EMS worker from Memphis exits their ambulance after parking it in the rows that will depart as a part of the procession from the service to funeral at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Rylan Pruitt, foreground, watches as the body of his father Zach Pruitt is hoisted into an ambulance by family members and friends at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

The shadow of a large American flag flown at the entrance of the funeral service can be seen in the lawn outside of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Lisa Hobbs, a rider with the Patriot Guard Riders, drapes a flag in the rear window wiper of her car at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. The Patriot Guard Riders are a motorcycle club that honor veterans and emergency service members, of which Zach Pruitt was both. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

An ambulance that will take the body of Zach Pruitt to the cemetery is draped with black tapestry, bow, and each emergency light was covered with black fabric at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

The reflection of attendees and family members can be seen in the window as they await the transportation of Zach Pruitt's body at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

EMS operators from locations around Tennessee and even the country stand and pay their respects before Zach Pruitt's body is taken to the funeral service from Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Jackson firefighters place a weight on the bottom of a large American Flag they fly from a fire engine's ladder at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

First responders create a path for the casket holding former EMT Zach Pruitt to be Brough to the ambulance that will take him to a funeral at Highland Memorial Gardens from Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

First responders from all across Tennessee arrive for the funeral service of Zach Pruitt, an EMT that passed away while transporting a patient at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Family members of Zach Pruitt watch as the body of Pruitt is hoisted into the back of an ambulance for transport to the funeral from Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

A spectator wears an American flag in his jean pocket while waiting for the funeral procession to arrive at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

The ambulance carrying the body of Zach Pruitt, center, follows a fire engine and leads the rest of a funeral procession down North Highland towards the funeral at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Deborah Wood embraces an attendee at the funeral for her son Zach Pruitt while the party awaits the burial of Pruitt at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Funeral attendees arrive in ambulances and their vehicles for the funeral service of Zach Pruitt at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Family members of Zach Pruitt, including his mother Deborah Wood, front right, laugh after a child in a nearby ambulance sets off an alarm at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. "I think we all really needed that" Wood said softly to those gathered. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Jimmy Rainey, a fellow first responder, squeezes his eyes shut as he sheds tears when the "final call" is radioed in for Zach Pruitt as he is laid to rest at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Sandra Santiago, a fellow first responder, watches as the body of Zach Pruitt is brought out of the ambulance that brought him to the funeral service at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Family and friends bring the body of Zach Pruitt out from the ambulance and walk it to the funeral location while attendees salute and pay their respects at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Jimmy Rainey throws an arm over the shoulder of Meagan Brown during the funeral service for Zach Pruitt at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

Attendees at the funeral for Zach Pruitt salute as the flag draped over his coffin is folded and delivered to family at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun

It takes a special heart to serve in Emergency Medical Services, and Zachary Quinn Pruitt had a heart for service, according to the hundreds gathered for his funeral Wednesday afternoon.

Pruitt, 36, lost his life on Friday in an ambulance crash while helping transport a patient to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. At his service, family, friends and co-workers said Pruitt died doing what he loved — helping people.

Medical Center EMS Operations Manager Paul Spencer was one of Pruitt's supervisors and said he was a hard worker with a big heart.

"He was just a very determined young man," Spencer said. "He loved his work, and I'm finding that out more from family how much he truly did love his work. That's our God-given call, to just do what we love, and he loved caring for people."

Hundreds of Emergency Medical Service workers — from firefighters to paramedics to policemen and other first responders — filled the pews of Englewood Baptist Church alongside Pruitt's family. Dozens of ambulances and emergency service vehicles from counties near and far filled the church parking lot, ready to accompany Pruitt's body on the journey to his final resting place at Highland Memorial Gardens.

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US Army Veteran and EMS Paramedic Zach Pruitt was laid to rest, Wednesday, December 5 at Highland Memorial Garden. (Photos by Henry Taylor)
KENNETH CUMMINGS, The Jackson Sun

Pruitt's mother Deborah Wood delivered his eulogy, pausing to thank all present for coming to honor her son.

"I have to tell you, Zach would say this is almost as awesome as him," she said, smiling.

Wood told stories that highlighted Zach's sarcastic sense of humor — which he probably got from her, she admitted — his "can-do attitude" and his love for his family and children. She said she was humbled by the 36 years, 2 months and 18 days she had with her son.

She also addressed the EMS brotherhood, a group she said Zach was extremely proud to be part of. "He was so proud he found his calling," she said.

Pruitt graduated from North Side High School in 2000 and served as a specialist in the 655th Transportation Corp in the U.S. Army from 2003 to 2005. Pruitt was medically discharged from the Army and awarded a Purple Heart after being injured in a roadside bomb attack while serving in Afghanistan.

Pruitt completed his paramedic training at Jackson State Community College in August.

The Rev. Glynn Jones, who officiated Pruitt's wedding to his wife Kim and delivered the message at Pruitt's funeral service, said Pruitt was "a giver."

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Deborah Wood embraces an attendee at the funeral for her son Zach Pruitt while the party awaits the burial of Pruitt at Highland Memorial Gardens in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (Photo: Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun)

He recalled doing a hospital visit earlier in the week after Pruitt's death. The patient said Pruitt helped transport him a little over a month ago, and that Pruitt had gone back to visit and check on the patient and his family a couple of times.

"[He was] not just a paramedic," Jones said. "He was a giver himself. One who cared."

Andy Rice, a former supervisor at Medical Center EMS who now works for Hospital Wing, led an EMS prayer at Pruitt's service and reflected on the importance of the work that Pruitt died doing.

"God gives us a heartbeat for the sick and the injured," Rice said. "And in spite of the long hours and sometimes perilous dangers, we put on our uniform, we zip up our boots, we climb aboard that rig screaming into the night to do what we can to answer somebody's call for help."

Rice told Pruitt's family that his EMS "brothers and sisters" would continue to stand with them and support them. He said that even while they grieve, Pruitt's EMS family would continue Pruitt's work.

"We must continue to put on our uniform, zip up our boots, and wait for those tones to drop," Rice said. "I believe it's the most fitting tribute we can pay to one who gave his all."

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Attendees, family members, and fellow first responders salute and pay their last respects as the body of Zach Pruitt is placed into an ambulance before the procession headed to Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. (Photo: Henry Taylor/The Jackson Sun)

As his family, friends and dozens of uniformed first responders gathered around Pruitt's flag-draped casket at Highland Memorial Gardens and bowed their heads in prayer, a fleet of ambulances flashed their red lights.

Central dispatch radioed Zachary Pruitt for his last call on Earth, splitting the silence. They thanked Pruitt for his dedication and service.

"Farewell, friend," said the voice over the radio. "Until we meet again, God bless."

Reach Cassandra Stephenson at ckstephens@jacksonsun.com or at (731) 694-7261. Follow Cassandra on Twitter at @CStephenson731.